Hay-rake



(No Model.)

L. W. FREEMAN.

HAY RAKE.

No. 409,032. Patented Aug. 13, 1889.

N PEYERS, Plwibixkhographer, Wash'mgon. D. C.

- UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

LEANDER IV. FREEMAN, OF LIBERTY, INDIANA.

HAY-RAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,032, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed March 14, 1889. Serial No. 303,279. (No model.)

4 erty, in the county of Union and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hay-Rakes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction and lessen the cost of rakeheads for revolving hay-rakes and to this end the invention consists in a rake-head having the peculiarities hereinafter described and claimed, whereby its durability is g eatly increased, the cost of manufacture diminished, and repairs facilitated.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a plan of my improved rake-head for revolving hay-rakes. Fig. 2 'is an elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the rake-head in line with the teeth.

According to my invention the rake-head is made in two sections, each extending the entire length of the head and separated throughout their length a distance equal to the thickness of the rake-teeth, which are secured between said sections at suitable intervals by means of bolts and nuts or otherwise, packing-blocks being placed between the ends of the sections to facilitate attachment of the hitching-rods, and at or about the centerof the rake-head or elsewhere to brake it and afford a firm bearing for the dumping mechan- 1sm.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1 and 2 designate the rake-head sections, which are preferably two pieces of well-seasoned timber that are each as wide as one side of the square timber usually employed in rakeheads and one-third its thickness. I would have it understood, however, that I do not confine myself to any precise dimensions or material for these rake-head sections.

The rake teeth or tines 3 may be made of wood or metal, as preferred, and in any suitable or approved form. As shown, the raketeeth 3 are straight, with oppositely-beveled ends, and are centrallysecured at suitable intervals between the rake-head sections 1 and 2 by means of bolts 4 and nuts 5, so that they can be readily tightened when required.

At the ends of the rake-head, between the sections 1 and 2, are securely bolted packingblocks 6, which brace the ends of the sections and serve for the insertion of headed pins 7, for the attachment of the hitching-rods.

To provide for the attachment of the dumping mechanism, a packing-block 8 is securely bolted between the sections 1 and 2 at or about the center of the rake-head or at some convenient point. This block 8 forms, with the sections 1 and 2, a solid square conforming in size and shape to the inside of a collar 9, to which the dumping mechanism is connected. This rake-head can be used in any revolving hay-rake with great advantage. of the open spaces between the teeth it requires but two-thirds the timber usually employedin a wooden rake-head, and although a number of bolts and nuts are used in its construction their cost is less than that of mortising a number of holes for reception of the rake-teeth. Both in material and labor, therefore, the cost of manufacture is greatly cheapened. It is also obvious that when the teeth become loosened, which is always liable to occur from use, exposure to the action of the elements, changes of temperature, and unequal shrinkage of timber, they can be quickly tightened by turning down the nuts on the bolts that secure the teeth in place. WVhen the rake-head is made from a single piece of timber mortised to receive the teeth, it is liable to crack on a line with the mortises. This is avoided by making the rakehead in sections and dispensing with mortises, thereby increasing its durability, beside lessening the cost of manufacture and making it capable of being easily and cheaply repaired in case of breakage of any of the parts.

The entire rake-head being made from timber of uniform thickness enables the manufacturer to utilize the scraps cut from the main sections and the faulty pieces intended for such sections by making them into teeth and packing-blocks, which is afeature of economy that will be readily appreciated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A rake-head composed of two sections of uniform dimensions separated by packingblocks interposed between the extremities of the sections and serving to receive the hitching-rod attachment, and teeth secured cen- On account central block for the attachment of a dumping mechanism, substantially as described.

4. A revolving rake-head comprising the sections 1 and 2, teeth 3, secured by nuts and bolts, the end packing-blocks 6, and a packing-block 8 and collar 9, for attachment of a dumping mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEANDER W. FREEMAN.

Vitnesses:

JOHN J. GARRETT, Tnos. BRANEN. 

